Cool New Kitchen Gear for 2012

They may range from low-tech to high design, but these innovative new kitchen tools and appliances from the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago all have one thing in common: They promise to open up new possibilities in the kitchen.

Genius Grill

Genius Grill

At first glance, the Rösle Barbecue grill ($500 for the 20-inch model, $600 for the 24-inch) may look like any plain black kettle grill, but the innovation is in the details. The stay-cool handle is placed at a 45-degree angle to the lid hinge, a smart safety touch that saves you from having to place your arm over the heat when you're opening the lid to check on what's cooking. Another fabulous feature: The grate is designed to fold in thirds so you can lift it at the side and stoke briquettes without disturbing what's cooking. Plus, this makes fitting the grate in the dishwasher a snap. There's a vent in the lid of course, but an additional air vent below lets you adjust the heat level, with small, medium, and large flame logos to help you pick the perfect temperature. And a pot-like ash catcher makes it easy to dump the buildup in the trash when you’re finished grilling. A sturdy base and big rubber wheels make this model easy to reposition and, should you choose to invest in Rösle's new line of grilling tools, all can be hung from the convenient bar that runs around the circumference of the grill.

Bistro-Style Brew

Bistro-Style Brew

You don't often associate the term "shower-head dispenser" with coffeemakers, but after you try the Bodum Bistro Pour Over Coffee Machine ($250), you likely won't forget it. The dispenser's unique design is intended to simulate a manual pour-over exactly, hopefully meaning more even brewing. This stylish machine is all chrome, glass, and color, with a removable water tank, glass tubing, chrome boiler (for quickly bringing water to the optimal super-hot brewing temperature), and a stainless steel filter that, Bodum claims, keeps all the coffee oils in the brew for a more flavorful and rich java. The coffee drips into a double-wall vacuum-seal carafe that should keep it plenty hot. The model comes in black, white, red, and green.